BRUSSELS / GUTERRES EUROPEAN COMMISSION

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16-May-2018
00:02:35

Speaking in the heart of the EU, in Brussels, António Guterres told reporters that climate change, a multiplication of conflicts and the global non-proliferation regime, were challenging all multilateral institutions, and the system of international law. EUROPEAN COMMISSION

1. Various shots, Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker shaking hands
2. Wide shot, Guterres and Juncker at the podium
3. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General:
“We live in a dangerous world. For the first time in many decades, the non-proliferation regime both in relation to nuclear weapons and in relation to chemical weapons are put into question. We have the Cold War back -- with a difference. There are not today the mechanisms that existed in the past Cold War of dialogue, of contact, of control to make sure that things will not spiral out of control by any kind of incident.”
4. Wide shot, Guterres and Juncker at the podium
5. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General:
“In this dangerous world, it is absolutely essential to preserve two things: Multilateral governance institutions and the rule of law in international relations. And for that to be possible, and we know the difficulties that we face, the role Europe, of the European Union is absolutely essential. So, my appeal here in Brussels is for the European Union to be more and more united, more and more effective, more and more present and for its voice to be more and more heard in international relations as a central pillar of multilateralism in today’s world.”
6. Wide shot, Guterres and Juncker at the podium
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Claude Juncker, President, European Commission:
“We would like to keep alive the agreement that was concluded between the partners and Iran. We believe that putting an end to this agreement seriously threatens peace and security in this tumultuous part of the region. I would like tonight to agree on a common stand, on a consensual approach to our relations with the United States in relation to Iran. It must be said that our means are there. We will use them but we must not hide the face: the means are limited. But we will fully exploit the means that are ours.”
8. Wide shot, Guterres and Juncker walk away

STORYLINE:

Speaking in the heart of the EU, in Brussels, António Guterres today (16 May) told reporters that climate change, a multiplication of conflicts and the global non-proliferation regime, were challenging all multilateral institutions, and the system of international law.

Addressing reporters together with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, Guterres said “we live in a dangerous world. For the first time in many decades, the non-proliferation regime both in relation to nuclear weapons and in relation to chemical weapons are put into question.”

He flagged that the Cold War was back, but without the mechanisms of dialogue, contact and control that existed in relations between the West and the Soviet Union, to ensure “that things not spiral out of control.”

In this dangerous world, he said, “it is absolutely essential to preserve two things: Multilateral governance institutions and the rule of law in international relations.”

Emphasizing Europe’s crucial role in this, the Secretary-General appealed to the EU “to be more and more united, more and more effective, more and more present and for its voice to be more and more heard in international relations as a central pillar of multilateralism in today’s world.”

He concluded by saying that the UN supports EU efforts “to rescue” the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which the United States withdrew last week, as well as other efforts.

For his part, Juncker said “we would like to keep alive the agreement that was concluded between the partners and Iran. We believe that putting an end to this agreement seriously threatens peace and security in this tumultuous part of the region. I would like tonight to agree on a common stand, on a consensual approach to our relations with the United States in relation to Iran. It must be said that our means are there. We will use them but we must not hide the face: the means are limited. But we will fully exploit the means that are ours.”

Guterres will be travelling to Washington DC on Friday, where he is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump as well as with members of Congress.